Tuesday, June 16, 2009

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: SANDRA SOOKOO

Jenny: Hi, Sandra. Why don't you introduce yourself and tell us a little about you.

Sandra:

Hi everyone, and thanks Jenny for having me.My name is Sandra Sookoo, I live in the Indianapolis, IN area with the most wonderful hubby in the world, and I write romantic fiction.Sounds like the start of a 12-step program, doesn’t it?But it’s true.I write it:contemporary, historical, and paranormal romance and I love every minute of it.

Jenny: What inspired you to write your first romance?

Sandra:

Life inspired me.There’s too many bad and unexplainable things in real life, and since most people read romance to escape real life, why not give them an awesome story?For me, the promise of a happily ever after is what keeps me writing romance.A good love story never hurt anyone, and the higher the stakes, the better the ending.

Jenny: What's currently on your iPod/mp3 player/cd player?

Sandra:

I have a Microsoft Zune but normally only use it when travelling.When I write, I listen to music on my lap-top, which are mostly Disney songs and Broadway soundtracks.

Jenny: Describe a typical (or non-typical) writing day?

Sandra:

A typical day in a writer’s life?Is there such a thing?Usually, by eight in the morning, I read and return email, post on a few promo-sites for books currently released, look through critiques I’ve received and return a few, then finally, while watching Rachael Ray, I’ll start work on writing.Sometimes it’s writing on the WIP, sometimes it’s editing another book, either way, work goes on and off throughout the day until I call it a night around eleven pm.Of course, there are exceptions when life intrudes, but if it’s a typical day, that’s what I’m doing.

Jenny: What's the one question no one ever asks that you wish they would?

Sandra:

If I could meet a writer from the past, who would it be?My answer:Mark Twain.Why?He wrote the stories of his heart and he didn’t care who he ticked off.People remember his stories to this day.That’s the kind of writer I want to be, remembered for the good, the bad, and the controversial.

Jenny: What's your favorite setting from one of your novels?

Sandra:

There are so many favorites.It seems whatever book I’m writing becomes the favorite of the moment, but if I had to pick one, it would be the setting from The Art of Fang Shui which will release from Eirelander Publishing in January.The bulk of the novel is set in the IndianaDunesState Park.Perfect, eerie setting for all sorts of paranormal creatures.

Jenny: What do you think makes the idea heroine/hero?

Sandra:

Ideal?Isn’t that kinda like trying to slot everyone into the same peg? LOLBut seriously, the ideal man for me has to stand up for what he believes in, won’t take crap from anyone, loves the heroine like nobody’s business, kills the bad guy, and then offers to take his heroine out for ice cream afterwards.Sigh.

Jenny: What are you working on at the moment?

Sandra:

My WIP is a historical novel with a bit of a paranormal edge.I love writing historicals and I love writing paranormals.I guess it was only natural that I would blend the two—but you can thank my CP for that.She encouraged me to do it.

Jenny: Which comes first--the plot or the characters?

Sandra:

Usually, the plot.I’ll think up a snippet of an idea and I make sure to write it down so I won’t forget.It may not see the light of day for months as the possibilities stew in my mind.Then, when I have a firm grasp on the bare bones for a story, I’ll turn my attention for characters.Once those are in place, plotting comes into play and the naming of characters begins.

Jenny: Any new releases coming up?

Sandra:

I’ve got a novella releasing with The Wild Rose Press in late September entitled The Haunting of Amelia Pritchart.Until then, readers are invited to enjoy my two current releases Winner Takes All from Desert Breeze Publishing and the most recent Foodie’s Guide to Kitchen Magic presented by Lyrical Press, Inc.Please feel free to drop by my website for more information!

Read on for an excerpt of Sandra's novel, Foodie's Guide to Kitchen Magic....

“Enough of the pleasantries. Let’s get started.” He clapped his hands. “Show me what you can do with your magic thus far.”

“All right, but don’t blame me if you burst into flame or end up with some sort of food all over you.” She scrunched up her nose in concentration, flicking her right wrist, fingers extended. When nothing happened, she narrowed her eyes at a basket of tomatoes, wiggling her fingers in an effort to make them rise into the air.

Nothing happened. The basket remained in quiet repose.

“Might I make a suggestion?”

Annoyed, she glanced up to find him alarmingly close to her. “Okay.”

“You are trying too hard.”

“That doesn’t help me at all.” She glared at him. He was too handsome. She didn’t trust handsome men. Especially men whose jeans hugged their legs and rear in all the right places. “Not a bit.” The skin of his forearms beckoned to her from his rolled up shirt sleeves.

Why couldn’t the Institute have sent over a balding, middle-aged hairy man with a paunch? She wished they had because she knew her skills assessor could be a severe distraction.

She glanced again at his toned forearms, the sprinkling of light brown hair over taut muscle and her stomach tightened with unfamiliar longing. It had been a long time since she’d had a man in her life—a very long time, and considering he went stark raving mad at the end of the relationship, she didn’t want to get involved in another.She shivered as her gaze wandered over his chest to his trim waist, then lower still to the jeans that were so tight she could almost imagine his…

Her cheeks burned at the thought. She could definitely make an exception for him.

Matteus sighed. “Watch me.” He lifted his right hand into the air. “Use the energy that resides inside you. It’s a matter of simple control and designation.” With the tiniest movement of his wrist, he coaxed two plum tomatoes from the basket to hover above the cutting board. “And this.” He crooked his index finger and the fruit fell to the board with a soft thump. “Now you. Manipulate the knife and cut them in half.”

“I can’t.” She caught her bottom lip between her teeth. She stared at the two red tomatoes. “I’ve only had this magic—this energy—for two days. I have no idea how to use it.”

“Thus the reason I’m here.” He moved behind her. “Let me show you. And from now on, you are forbidden to use the word ‘can’t.’ It’s irritating.”

Excitement skittered down her spine while thoughts of forbidden dark places danced through her mind as his body brushed against her back. “What now?” The question was barely louder than a whisper as he held her hand suspended in the air.

“Become the object you wish to move. Think of nothing other than that object.” His words caressed her cheek, stirring a few escaped auburn tendrils of her upswept hair. “Convince the object it has nothing else better to do than your bidding.”

Aidan nodded, her throat too dry to utter words.

When he released her hand, she nearly cried out—she felt the loss of his warmth that deeply. She focused her eyes on the chef’s knife, she imagined herself filling the cool metal of the blade as she rested herself in the weighted balance of the handle. Swishing her wrist, a smile curled her lips when the knife levitated a few inches over the cutting board, wobbled for a brief second or two, and then inexorably glanced off the side of the first tomato. It landed with a clatter on the cutting board. “Crap.”

BIO:

Sandra is a writer of romantic fiction.Her portfolio includes historical, contemporary, and paranormal romances, and has recently embarked on writing mysteries.Just like the heroines in her books, she uses sarcastic wit and humor to make people laugh.

After catching the writing bug at the young age of ten, she’s gone on to grow her unique writing style.She’s a blogger, and has also written a couple of fairy tales (because they’re needed in life) and a handful of children’s stories (because they’re fun) in addition to her romance work.

When not immersed in creating new worlds and interesting characters, Sandra likes to read and travel.Her favorite place to spend vacation hours is Walt Disney World.It’s where dreams come true, and that suits her just fine.